Despite the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, 83% of Filipinos are hopeful that the worst is over with the COVID-19 pandemic based on the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
This is up from the 80% recorded in December 2021 and almost double of the 44% in May 2022.
The number of those fearing that “the worst is yet to come” fell to 16% in April 2022 from December 2021’s 19%. Around 88% also expressed worry about contracting the disease.
The in-person survey was conducted from April 19 to 27 with 1,440 adult Filipino respondents.
The OCTA Research earlier said that Metro Manila is close to reaching the peak of COVID-19 cases, in contrast with the statement of Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire that cases could keep on rising by the end of July.
Despite this, the DOH said it is open for policies on the voluntary wearing of face masks subject to certain conditions such as the 50% COVID-19 vaccine booster coverage.
The government is set to launch a Pinas Lakas booster campaign on July 26 to administer booster shots to at least 23.8 million individuals.
“We need to have 397,000 plus na dapat meron tayong per day na accomplishment so that we can reach this 23 million within 60 working days that we are given,” Vergeire said.
The DOH official went to Cotabato City on Thursday, July 21, to lead the special vaccination days in the Bangsamoro region. – Report from Mark Fetalco–ag
